Saint Nathan Bake is dragged down by his Leitchville-Gunbower opponent. Picture: Jocelyn Russell

It was a tough day for Heathcote’s senior footballers in their first Good Friday clash, with the seniors and reserves suffering heavy defeats.

The trip to Leitchville proved the home side was much too good on the day and leaves all players with something to prove over the coming weeks.

Things looked good early for the Saints who started with the breeze, with the midfield on top.

Inaccurate kicking hurt as Leitchville-Gunbower kicked four late goals to give it a 20-point lead at quarter-time.

The second quarter saw the Bombers use the wind better than the Saints as long straight kicking kept the Heathcote defenders constantly under the pump.

The ability of the home side to shut down its opposition’s run was on full display, restricting Heathcote to just a point for the quarter to take its score to five, while Leitchville-Gunbower sat pretty on 11.4(70) at the main break.

The last half of the game was one to forget as the confidence of the Heathcote players was destroyed which saw the home side pile on goal after goal in front of a large home crowd.

The final scores were Heathcote 3.9(27) to Leitchville-Gunbower’s 23.11(149).

Goal kickers for Heathcote were one each to Jake Condon, Damian Jacques and Josh Illarietti, while the best player for the day was Darcy McLean followed by Daniel Russel, Dallas Middleton, Jake Condon, Mitch McLean and Blake Coyle.

This week sees the Saints take on Mt Pleasant at Heathcote in what promises to be a great game as all players will be aiming to redeem themselves.

The reserves had a day to forget in their match, with the game going awry from the outset.

Two extra players added to the club’s injury list within the first five minutes of the game as Justin Hancock and Jai Edwards strained quad muscles, leaving just two players on the bench.

Despite the best efforts of Vinnie Cullinan in the ruck and Bobby Beare down back, the scoreboard also took a turn for the worse with Heathcote scoreless and Leitchville-Gunbower 4.3(27) at quarter-time.

Heathcote was against the wind in the second quarter and even the best efforts of Charles and Craig Davies off half-back and Dion Meerman in the middle could not give Heathcote a score.

Leitchville-Gunbower took full advantage of the breeze and kicked away to give it a half-time score of 7.7(49).

After half-time things did not get much better for the reserves boys with only one goal being kicked off the boot of Meerman during the third quarter.

The Bombers dominated all areas of the field to end the game with a convincing victory, 15.12(102) to 1.1.7.

The best player for the day was given to Charles Davies, with ruckman Cullinan second.

Other players in the best for the day included Clint Capuano, Scott Casey and Beare.